Cool as it may be, I think it doesn't fits with Rugged Construction at all.
Quick clarification, I mean that it would compliment Rugged construction well, NOT that it should come built in to any ships by default.
Also, I respectfully disagree with your conclusion. Escape pods are already present in all ships by default. Regardless of technology level. And protecting your crew may have even been more of a priority during some age long past, at a time when human life had a higher value.
The primary thing that would change is the crew's proceedure once the hull is close to being compromised. At a certain hull integrity, the crews leave their posts and head to the nearest pod.
Narrative wise, the hullmod might add some extra escape pods to the cargo bays (captains frequently install entire fighter autoforges and launch bays in these areas already, so some modified cargo containers with limited life support and beacons shouldn't be a challenge.)
At this point in development, all it would do is reduce crew casualties, and possibly increase the odds of the ship being recoverable with no D-mods. (Enemy may or may not waste time firing on an abandoned ship, I know pirates and scavengers would try to take it intact.
But future updates may include some system for morale, or ship crew experience, or your character's public image as a
hero or a ruthless mercenary.
Anyhow, I would like to see an addition like this, and I'm sure there are a few other players who would.